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When to plant peppers in zone 8a

In zone 8a, where the last spring frost typically comes around March 29, start peppers indoors January 25 to February 22 and plant out April 12 to 26. For a fall crop, plant July 18 to August 15.

The zone 8a schedule for peppers

Start seeds indoors
January 25 to February 22
Plant out
April 12 to 26
Sow outdoors
April 12 to 19
Soil warm enough (60°F), about
April 12
Safest planting date (10% frost risk)
April 14
First harvest, roughly
June 16 to July 20
Plant for a fall crop
July 18 to August 15

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 2,584 ZIP codes in zone 8a, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for peppers.

Frost risk in zone 8a

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 8a, the typical last frost ranges from about March 18 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to April 7 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from October 31 to November 16. For a typical place in the zone:

  • March 9Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • March 29Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • April 14Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10

Peppers are killed by frost, so if you want to be safe, plant out after the safe date rather than the typical one, or be ready to cover plants on a cold night.

Your dates for peppers

Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant peppers where you live, from the frost records of the nearest NOAA weather station. Your ZIP code is remembered on this device only.

Enter your ZIP code

Peppers in zone 8a cities

CityTypical last frostStart indoorsPlant out
Charlotte, NCMar 30Jan 25 to Feb 22Apr 12 to 26
Memphis, TNMar 16Jan 18 to Feb 15Apr 5 to 19
Baltimore, MDMar 24Feb 5 to Mar 5Apr 23 to May 7
Atlanta, GAMar 15Jan 17 to Feb 14Apr 4 to 18
Raleigh, NCMar 28Jan 27 to Feb 24Apr 14 to 28
Greensboro, NCMar 30Jan 30 to Feb 27Apr 17 to May 1
Durham, NCMar 31Jan 26 to Feb 23Apr 13 to 27
Winston-Salem, NCMar 30Jan 30 to Feb 27Apr 17 to May 1
Chesapeake, VAMar 17Jan 28 to Feb 25Apr 15 to 29
Huntsville, ALMar 24Jan 19 to Feb 16Apr 6 to 20
Fayetteville, NCMar 30Jan 25 to Feb 22Apr 12 to 26
Little Rock, ARMar 21Jan 23 to Feb 20Apr 10 to 24

How to grow peppersAll zonesPeppers in zone 7bPeppers in zone 8bAbout zone 8a

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